The Council of Europe officially launched the Phase II of the project “Strengthening the human rights compliant criminal justice system in the Republic of Moldova”. The initiative aims to make the criminal justice system more effective, humane, and aligned with European human rights standards.

The project, which builds on reforms initiated during its first phase, will support Moldovan institutions in addressing long-standing structural issues in the criminal justice sector. These include improving the independence and capacity of the prosecution service, enhancing human rights guarantees in criminal proceedings, promoting alternatives to detention, and reinforcing the reasoning in court decisions. Attention will also be given to the proper execution of European Court judgments and preventing human rights violations through more effective external monitoring.

Head of Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, Falk Lange, emphasized the importance of continuing reforms in the criminal justice sector in the Republic of Moldova, highlighting that the need is driven by systemic issues identified by the European Court in its judgments concerning the country, as well as by the findings and recommendations of the Council of Europe’s monitoring and advisory bodies.

The launch event brought together key institutions from the justice sector, including the Ministry of Justice, Superior Councils of Magistracy and Prosecutors, Supreme Court of Justice, General Prosecutor’s Office, General Police Inspectorate, Government Agent Office, Ombudsman Institution, civil society, and international partners.

The event also marked the first meeting of the Project’s Steering Committee, where participants discussed the Project Annual Work Plan 2025 and agreed on priority actions and expected results.

By providing policy support, legal expertise, and targeted capacity building, this initiative contributes directly to the objectives set out in the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025–2028 and the national Strategy for Ensuring the Independence and Integrity of the Justice Sector 2022–2025.